Wanted to get some input on the car I looked at today. It's a '73 Cutlass 'S', 455, 4-speed. VIN starts 3G37V3 and it has M20 on the cowl tag. Unfortunately, the original drivetrain has been replaced with an F-code ('68-'72) 455 and Borg Warner trans. Body is very good with minimal rust around windows. Interior is complete but needs most items restored. Options that I noticed are: a/c (intact), tilt, & swivel buckets/console. Asking price is $4k. It seemed like a good deal until I discovered the non-orignal engine/trans, but what do I know?? I'd like to hear from the experts. Thanks for ANY thoughts/advice. Bob

 

The 73-77 cars are starting to become collectible as the price of 64-72 cars passes the moon. I've personally never been a fan of colonnade styling, but a documented manual trans car is pretty rare. Before you write off the engine, check the VIN derivative to ensure it is or is not original.

 

I think that would be a fair price if it runs good and has a decent body and interior. Who cares if it is orignial. Just get the car and drive the BEJEEZUS out of it!

 

4k for something like that seems like a good deal if its straight, has it been repainted ? is there any bondo ? check it out. and if the engine is from an earlier year, then you got nothing to lose, you could probably find someone to trade with and get your proper engine/tranny. it just means that there are more horsies for you to play with under the hood

 

Thanks for the input. The body is straight with no Bondo or evidence of repair. It appears to be the original paint job and is a cream-color (I think it was once called Bamboo).

 

'73 (and '72) V Codes are rare - period. Did you check the VIN on the engine block stamp pad to see if it is in fact the original 455?